Helping each other master the art of a senior life.

I was born in 1933 – making me what was known in my parents’ era – a Depression Baby. Although I still live in Philadelphia, where I was born, I have traveled the world extensively for pleasure and for work. My husband and I now spend part of each year in California’s Bay Area, where our daughters and twin grandchildren live. As with so many women, most of my professional life just seemed to happen unplanned: teaching, because it fitted in with children’s schedules, led to graduate school to improve teaching skills, which led to a doctorate, which led to being an educational psychologist and professor, which led to directing the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy in Philadelphia, which led to consulting for Hooked on Phonics and educational products and publishing companies. Personal passions were expressed in leading the board of Children’s Literacy Initiative and Philadelphia Young Playwrights, which I helped to found, and chairing a Youth Aid Panel of the District Attorney’s Office at a police station every two weeks.

Dr. Barbara Fleisher

I’m Bobby Fleisher, (aka Barbara M. Fleisher BA, MA, and much later, EdD). I’ve worn many hats in my life: public school teacher, learning disabilities/reading specialist, child advocate, college professor in San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia, and most importantly, wife, mother, and grandmother. Because my physician husband Dan Fleisher’s work took the family to Europe and the Far East, our three children, Wendy, Jane, and Peter grew up believing that the whole world was their playground. My children now live in England, California, and Massachusetts. My seven grandchildren are grown now, and span the globe from China, through the US, and England. Despite the distances and the recent death of my husband, the family has remained close and hasn’t missed an annual reunion in twenty-five years.

Juggling family and career was no walk in the park for any of us women in my generation. My career was really an afterthought –something I could attend to as long as the cooking and chauffeuring were done. I’ve now retired from that professional part of my life but I’m still finding new hats to try on. Stay tuned.

All I have to say is that I am far from and elder chick, and I think you guys rock! I wish my grandma blogged- or even used a computer- it would be so much easier to keep in touch with her! Can’t wait to read more inspiring stories on here.

Thank you so much for being here. I’m one of the “just behind you” baby boomer women, and I’m on a mission to find my heroes. Think I just did. Wish my mom was still alive because she would so love to be a part of your community.
If you don’t mind, I’ll be back often.

Getting older needn’t mean
You no longer can have fun.
Put a different spin on things and
Life’s still a damn good run.
Make friends with false teeth, hearing aids,
Wigs, walkers and wheel chairs
They’ll speed re-entry and welcome you back
To a youth driven world that still cares.
But if your image doesn’t cut it
Your brain can bridge the gap
By using your “savvy”and life“smarts”
To sidestep the geriatric trap.

The world would like me passive;
Passive and benign,
Content to man my rocking chair
Trade upright for supine.
Now Grannies, although “ditzy”
Were supposed to give off “nice”,
Have fuzz-filled minds; the Mantra:
“Act nice, be nice, make nice.”
But not my style, want my next mile
To be spent where I can “smarten”
So gimme a break, reassign my stake
In this oldies kindergarten!

I’m Debra,Deb, Dee, Debora, Deborah Sugar. I.m a cock-eyed optimist and despite advancing age, my rose colored glasses are as sharp and funny as ever. I’ve never been this age before so I really don’t know what’s expected of me. (I’m little over (sh-h-h, eighty) still wear jeans and hoodies and boots, listen to rock music and enjoy the slots at Atlantic City. Before retiring I was a comedy writer for a showbiz agency midtown New York City, also did stint as A&E editor of small college newspaper. Love my ‘puter and currently trying to consolidate my humorous work into a book. I am always accessible online, so if anyone shares my M.O. please contact me. I hate to think that I’m the only old “hippie.”

Hi Debra, Deb, Dee, Debora, Deborah: I should have written much sooner. Didn’t mean to take such a great voice for granted. I’m missing hearing more. We definitely have a lot in common, and what we don’t I admire in you!

Before 2011 arrives I will be 82 years of age. My prior ‘lifes’ included dime store clerk, architectural draftsman (woman); registered nurse, intermediate care facility owner/ administrator/ head nurse; licensed minister, pioneer-pastor; VHS rent-by-mail business owner; big time volunteer; designer/ publisher/ owner of family web sites. (This ‘reply’ is typed with the help of an on-screen keyboard.)
I make no long term plans and keep all business responsibilities up to date. There are no desires to return to my younger days if they cannot be lived with my present life experiences. My spiritual faith shores up my contented life.

Yemmus,
“No desires to return to my younger days if they cannot be lived with my present life experiences” says volumes to me. Aside from seeing how wonderful you look and learning of your extraordinary experiencein the realm of work and spirit, you give me something that illuminates my thinking. Thank you!

I’m a mother, mother in law, “mema” to 4 and grandma to 2, a retired nurse who wore many hats in the profession, from labor & delivery to industrial to home health, and so many in between. Now I’m a “granny nanny”, who enjoys water aerobics, cruises, major league baseball ( go Rays), and travel. My bucket list includes Tuscany & a visit to each of the United States, just for starters.

I just found your blog in the Girls’ High Alumnae e-newsletter which is written by a member of the class of 1946! I graduated from GHS in 1971, was a member of the first class that admitted fresh”men” women at Williams College. I hold a JD from Temple University School of Law, I am now a “recovering” lawyer and the owner/blogger at Boomeresque: Baby Boomer Travels for the Body and Mind. I consider your generation to have been the tip of the spear that paved the way for those of us who followed you into the world of higher education and work outside the home. Write on!

Hooray for the internet! Am 74, recently widowed, trying to earn extra $$ by selling on internet.
Just fixed my CD “boom box” by researching on internet. CD’s not playing – expert said to clean laser with alcohol on cotton swab. OK, 1st I had to google what a laser on my CD looked like. Found a picture – cleaned laser – CD works!!
Then an electric drill I ordered came with NO manual – so had to go and download manual and print the 3 appropriate pages (needed explaination of what a “chuck” was and other terms). Has a 50 year old hand drill – alas with arthritis in hands – too hard to operate old hand drill.
Getting older is challenging – and it is uplifting to meet those challenges.
I am available to help my neighbors with computer issues too.

My background was Biochemist early 60’s – then computer programmer – then part time office manager of small charity.

Also enjoying being grandma to 2 beautiful & brilliant girls.

Just moved 400 miles away from what was home for 35 years – but change is necessary – and can be good.
Am saving up for a nature trip to Alaska – and looking forward to cooler weather for Fall walks (to get in shape).

Just found you thru Penn’s Village. I am delighted to “know ” women who understand our world. Married when I was 22 (my parents were worried that I would be an old maid). Just lost my great guy after 68 years. Produced three sons even with a career, eight grands and four great grands
. Now making a new life. I was a lawyer before women were able to get a job in a law office. I have been the first woman in several aspects of the business world and board memberships. Still work half a day. Mornings are busy with exercise.So glad I found ElderChicks with people of like mind and interests.

Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. After retiring from a very good career I chose to follow the dream I had when I was 11years old. I loved to draw clothes for my paper dolls and started to sew my own clothing. That has turned into a business I started at age 63 and is still growing. I have made so many friends and am considered a “fabric artist” using repurposed fabric.

Today I will be honor as a Woman of Distinction by one of the city’s news organization. Do not forget your dreams. They really can happen.

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